Washington (CNN) - Turn off the television, drink more water and serve smaller portions to fight childhood obesity, first lady Michelle Obama is urging as she launches a national campaign against childhood obesity.

Mayors, doctors and leaders in sports, entertainment and business will join the first lady as she kicks off the campaign Tuesday at a White House event. Members of President Obama's Cabinet will also be there.

The president is scheduled to sign a memorandum on childhood obesity in the Oval Office, the White House said.

During a speech last month at a Virginia YMCA, the first lady spoke about health issues caused by childhood obesity.

soundoff(12 Responses)

Right Leaning Independent

This is a good cause to take up! Obesity is going to be a huge problem(no pun intended) in the future! Having travelled to many countries, we definitely have the fattest population that I have seen. We have to get kids off the sofa and outside running and playing again!

February 9, 2010 08:46 am at 8:46 am |

Thank you Massachusetts

Turn off the TV? How about turn off the computer and insist they go out and play like kids did in the good ol' days. You all have to admit these computers sidetrack not only adults but children, also.

February 9, 2010 09:02 am at 9:02 am |

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ

Every first lady has a mission or topic they take on; this is Mrs. Obama's quest. It has personal significance since there are many in the African-American community that have weight issues like the rest of the country.

February 9, 2010 09:04 am at 9:04 am |

jp,michigan

Childhood obesity is coming down for there are many children who go without eating several times a day. If the parents can't work , food banks are running short , there limited amount of food to place on the table. School receive money to supply breakfast to kids who go to school without breakfast. Money to give free lunch. Thank God for that!

February 9, 2010 09:38 am at 9:38 am |

jules sand-perkins

Children could eat less and move.
Obesity in this country is linked sociologically to a lack of aspiration and a perverse distortion of egalitarianism: it is not just as beautiful to be fat as it is to be well proportioned.

February 9, 2010 09:40 am at 9:40 am |

Conservative Voice

This is actually a good thing. Our country needs to focus on why we are pumping our kids full of crap and teching them horrible eating habits. Hopefully this will be a combination of excerize, healthy eating and parental responsibility....go for it Michelle!

February 9, 2010 10:01 am at 10:01 am |

C. Farrell, Houston, Tx

Fighting childhood obesity is so very important for a childs mental growth and at the same time we have to teach our children who don't face this problem not to be ugly towards these obese children. I give the teachers a lot of credit because they do offer a great deal of help in teaching children respect and tolerance in the classroom.

February 9, 2010 10:10 am at 10:10 am |

Rick McDaniel

Ya know.....all this stuff about kids....isn't going to solve a thing, until you change the parents.....ya know????

February 9, 2010 10:20 am at 10:20 am |

Steph

Mrs. Obama is a class act.

February 9, 2010 10:27 am at 10:27 am |

Dar

Nothing against Michelle, I love her to death, but dont tell me how to raise my child.
This sounds more and more like a socialistic plan, little by little goverment keeps attempting to take over our lives.
Before you know it parents could see jail time if they allow their child to become over wieght.

2010/2012 REAL Change is coming

February 9, 2010 10:29 am at 10:29 am |

John

...turn off the television, drink more water and serve smaller portions to fight childhood obesity...

Sounds like a multiple Catch-22 situation.

The obese won't see this message if they turn off the TV. And if they don't turn off the TV they'll remain obese.

And, really, how many TV networks are going to broadcast advice to turn off the TV?

February 9, 2010 10:36 am at 10:36 am |

Joe, Chicago IL

Well, Michelle, your husband is beating you to the punch. If the parents are losing their jobs, there will be less food on the table.